What poolroom did you learn to play at? Who were your mentors?

[crawfish]

Happy's pool hall (a real hall with seven tables all of the way to the back of the hall near the bathroom), in Greenville, NC. East Carolina University. My main training was in Asheville at Playworld with "Coach" and Gary Winters on the barbox. He used to torture me. I guess I finally just got tired of getting beat.

 

[smittie1984]

I grew up in basically 3 pool halls. 1 was Mr. Cues 2 in Atlanta. Another one was Atlanta Billiards in Duluth (Was on the other side of mall near Pool Room 2) and the final was Murphy's Brass Rails in Athens.

When I was in highschool and we had a day off from school I'd go to Mr. Cues 2 to take advantage of their free game of pool with lunch from I think 11:30am to 3pm. I'd take full advantage of it too.

When I wanted to hang out with a few friends or be around a younger crowd and didn't mind being barely able to see the table due to smoke I'd go to Atlanta Billiards.

But I mainly went to Brass Rails in Athens because it was only $7 an hour to play. Infact my Jr. year of highschool I think I spent every single Friday night there playing for hours and hours.

As for mentors. I normally play by myself anyways so it's not like I have any true mentors. But a good buddy of mine who was older than me was sort of my mentor for pool. He was a decent player (I'd say a 4 if he played APA) who tought me the basic fundamentles. However he doesn't play much and I have acceled past him.

 

[9BallPaul]

Cochran's and the Palace, Market Street, San Francisco

Learned to play in Denver at York Billiards, Colfax Billiards and the Family Fun Center. But earned my advanced degree in San Francisco during the Summer of Love ('67).

Ran into a cat in the Palace named Paul Silva. They called him Nine-Ball Paul and he played with a style and grace that left me breathless. There are fine players who are mechanics, and there are fine players who are artists. Paul Silva had more style than any player I'd ever seen. Oddly, I've never seen a word about him on this board. Except that I stole his nickname for my screen name, since we're both Pablos.

As my local hero in Denver, Bill Stroud comes to mind, along with Andy Hudson. Ran into Stroud in Cochran's in '67, traveling with his big sheep dog named Josh. Bill could see that I'd gone broke, so he helped me out by letting me run errands for him -- Josh had to be walked occassionally -- and running out for lunch and dinner while Bill was in long-term action. Great guy. Wish I could afford one of his cues.

 

[stick8]

first pool

Well i will try to make it short, but it was long ago 1952 ,im 14yr my brother & the world strongest man at the time paul anderson[gold] in the 1953-54 games in weight lifting, o.k. my room owner would not let you in the room until after 3pm. we only shot rotation and snooker, no 9ball no 8ball . my brother was my mentor as he was in all sports , he sat a high standerd for me to follow. and i miss him soo, as he left this earth 3yr ago but my thoughts a allways with me. thanks STICK

 

[lodini]

The first "real" pool hall I ever became a regular at was Amsterdam Billiards... I freaking love that place. (It's a shame I had to leave NY) Every person there was a mentor, in their own way.... The person that sticks out most in my mind is John Smith. My best friend and I wouldn't play for two minutes without him helping us out! He is amazing.

 

[12squared]

I learned to play at the union at the U of Michigan in the 70s, a great old room with maybe 40 old Brunwick 9 foot, 2 5 by 10s and 2 Billiard tables. There was no great pool players that hung out there, but the room was frequented by Carl Conlon, a 3-cushion guy who was one of the smartest and weirdest people I've ever met. Dennis Diekman, now a great cue builder, and a weiro in his own right, also was in that room every day, as was Steve Titus, the creator of "Iron Willie" and one of the founders of Preditor.

Kevin, I knew Carl & know Dennis. I played in a 3-cushion tourney at the "M" Union in the early 70's (I won) & played in one 9-ball tourney there as well and finished 2nd. I wonder if we knew each other?

I grew up in Oak Park, MI and played out of Cushion & Cue. I played mostly 3-cushion since they had 8 tables there and had a major 3-c regional tournament every year. When I let people know I was interested in learning that goofy game, I was introduced to my first mentor, John Machetta. John was a good player, not a great player, but he had patience, a desire to help young people learn the game he loved, and had a ton of knowlege about the game. Thanks, John! Bob Ameen, Joe Amerigian & all those top regional players that came around every year. Later when I moved to Los Angeles, I played out of Tiff's North Hollywood Billiards and learned from Allen Gilbert, Frank Torrez, Pepe Gomez, etc.

Cushion & Cue was 1/2 mile from "The Rack" where all the action was & all the best pool players would show up eventially. Although I was close, it was not my hang out but I did get to see some pretty big action & watch some great players.

After not playing for 10 years, I moved to San Jose area in the mid 80 and found California Billiards around 1990. I was then exposed to one-pocket by watching John Henderson, Memo, Mike "Chicken" Hoyt & others. In addition, became friends and competitor to Harry Simms, Rick Bryck & the gang.

Dave

 

[kvinbrwr]

Kevin, I knew Carl & know Dennis. I played in a 3-cushion tourney at the "M" Union in the early 70's (I won) & played in one 9-ball tourney there as well and finished 2nd. I wonder if we knew each other?

I grew up in Oak Park, MI and played out of Cushion & Cue. I played mostly 3-cushion since they had 8 tables there and had a major 3-c regional tournament every year. When I let people know I was interested in learning that goofy game, I was introduced to my first mentor, John Machetta. John was a good player, not a great player, but he had patience, a desire to help young people learn the game he loved, and had a ton of knowlege about the game. Thanks, John! Bob Ameen, Joe Amerigian & all those top regional players that came around every year. Later when I moved to Los Angeles, I played out of Tiff's North Hollywood Billiards and learned from Allen Gilbert, Frank Torrez, Pepe Gomez, etc.

Cushion & Cue was 1/2 mile from "The Rack" where all the action was & all the best pool players would show up eventially. Although I was close, it was not my hang out but I did get to see some pretty big action & watch some great players.

After not playing for 10 years, I moved to San Jose area in the mid 80 and found California Billiards around 1990. I was then exposed to one-pocket by watching John Henderson, Memo, Mike "Chicken" Hoyt & others. In addition, became friends and competitor to Harry Simms, Rick Bryck & the gang.

Dave

Dave

I think it might be one of those things where we were both in the same rooms together 30 years ago and never really knew each other? I spent probably every day I was in Ann Arbor in the Union playing straight pool. I traveled to the Cushion and Cue several times, either to see a 3-c tourney or or try to find a straight pool game. I think I remember what everyone refers to as "The Rack" as the "Capital Cue Club", where Cornbread played? When I first came out to LA, Dieckman came to visit me and dragged me out to Tiffs. I later took some friends that played 9 ball out there and now they are all still 3-Cushion players. I wouldn't be surprised if you and I were in 3 different rooms, 3000 miles apart at the same times.

I dimmly remember a 9-Ball tourney in the Union that was won (I think) by Charley "Baby Face" Conlon (no relation to Carl as Carl would soooo often point out). Charley was a hustler who couldn't play without an edge, his hustle in the finals of the 9 Ball was to try to have all the windows open in the middle of a Michigan winter, claiming it was "stuffy". Was that you he was playing?

Kevin

 

[Oddball]

Just recently I started taking the game serious and started practicing at Amsterdam Billiards, taking advantage of the 12 noon powerplay. So far, I've been there almost every Thursday at noon time for two months. It's my only free day. After the power play is over, I go for dinner and come back to watch the advanced league for at least an hour.

 

[12squared]

Dave

I think it might be one of those things where we were both in the same rooms together 30 years ago and never really knew each other? I spent probably every day I was in Ann Arbor in the Union playing straight pool. I traveled to the Cushion and Cue several times, either to see a 3-c tourney or or try to find a straight pool game. I think I remember what everyone refers to as "The Rack" as the "Capital Cue Club", where Cornbread played? When I first came out to LA, Dieckman came to visit me and dragged me out to Tiffs. I later took some friends that played 9 ball out there and now they are all still 3-Cushion players. I wouldn't be surprised if you and I were in 3 different rooms, 3000 miles apart at the same times.

I dimmly remember a 9-Ball tourney in the Union that was won (I think) by Charley "Baby Face" Conlon (no relation to Carl as Carl would soooo often point out). Charley was a hustler who couldn't play without an edge, his hustle in the finals of the 9 Ball was to try to have all the windows open in the middle of a Michigan winter, claiming it was "stuffy". Was that you he was playing?

Kevin

This is just a bit scary, maybe you're a brotha from another motha? .

I don't remember much about who I played in that 9-ball tourney, just that I had to get out of there ASAP to see David Bowie at Cobo Hall w/my real brother (he was patiently waiting). And yes, The Rack was the Capitol Cue Club, Cornbread's home away from home.

 

[billyjack]

Believe it or not, I got introduced to the game by the Christian Brothers, the teaching religious order at my all-boys Catholic High School back in the late 60's.
We saw "The Hustler" in literature class, kinda racy for a catholic school in the 60's. Pool was on the menu of intramural sports, so after seeing the movie, my buddies and I gave it a try. We played at Cue and Cushion in the Pittsburgh south suburbs. Seventeen 9ft. Brunswicks and one 10 footer so there was room for our entire group after school. My only mentor was Willie's little red book, since I didn't really know anyone older who played the game. Straight pool was the game then, but all we knew was "hit and hope". Lost interest in college when other interests took all my time such as women, alcohol, women, other illegal substances, women, muscle cars, street racing and women.
Just came back two years ago when I hooked up with a group at work who played weekly 8-ball tournaments. Got pounded regularly for quite some time, but I'm getting to the level now where I can give anyone in our group a good game. My thanks to the forums like this one where the free exchange of information is so available.
Bill

 

[demonrho]

...Ran into a cat in the Palace named Paul Silva. They called him Nine-Ball Paul and he played with a style and grace that left me breathless. There are fine players who are mechanics, and there are fine players who are artists. Paul Silva had more style than any player I'd ever seen. Oddly, I've never seen a word about him on this board. Except that I stole his nickname for my screen name, since we're both Pablos...

When Hollywood Billiards opened for awhile on the site of the old Cochrans on Market Street in San Francisco they had a bunch of old tables from the old Palace Billiards. One of them had a little bronze plaque on it denoting it as the "Paul Silva Memorial Table." (I was looking for the "'Ears' Memorial Table but never found it;-)

 

[dukeboy1977]

pool hall

The pool-hall I learned to play in was called Eastway billiards in Harborcreek, PA years ago. I was too stubborn in my young years and wouldn't listen to others so I never had a "mentor" so to speak. I learned by watching and playing everyone I could. I got to watch my brother Tim play quite a bit, as he played there too, and he played pretty sporty! Among the guys I used-to watch were him, his buddy Ted, Tom (who posts here), and some of the other good players from another pool-hall in town, who would come down every week for the weekly 9-ball tourney. Pool has dropped off quite a bit in this city because the "players" all grew up and have other priorities in life now, and NOBODY has taken their place as an upcoming player...So pool has taken a swan-dive in Erie,PA. I myself don't play nearly as much as I used-to either because noone is to play. I guess the ONLY time I can see other players in this city play anymore, is during winter leagues. Its a down-right shame that noone plays anymore, because some of the guys were pretty good. Oh well, hopefully I'll get back to playing more after I get out of Erie, but who knows.

 

[9BallPaul]

...One of them had a little bronze plaque on it denoting it as the "Paul Silva Memorial Table."

Good to know that. Thanks. The old Cochran's was bought by Tony Angionni, who was featured in "Playing Off the Rail" by Dave McCumber, an aquaintence of mine. Straight shooter, that Tony, yet don't hear of him much, either.

Glad to know others appreciated Silva. After making that post, I realized that my original observations were made through 18-year-old eyes, and so I may have magnified his game in my mind. It's been -- ahem -- 40 years since I came to those conclusions.

I searched the threads and came up with a couple others that mention Silva, but nothing in any detail.
9BP

 

[kvinbrwr]

Scary?

This is just a bit scary, maybe you're a brotha from another motha? .

I don't remember much about who I played in that 9-ball tourney, just that I had to get out of there ASAP to see David Bowie at Cobo Hall w/my real brother (he was patiently waiting). And yes, The Rack was the Capitol Cue Club, Cornbread's home away from home.

Yeah I absolutely (sorta) remember you. You were "that 3-C guy" from Detroit that showed up to play in what I expected would be just all the local guys that always hung in the Union beating them around. Charley won that thing, using his "freeze out" routine. OK so we were in the same place 30+ years ago in Ann Arbor.

I'll bet we also were in the Cushion and Cue in Oak Park at the same time. Wasn't there a US Open 3-C there once? Or was it a regional that Boston Shorty showed up to play in? Anyway I was at the Cushion and Cue for the 3-C tourney around that time that Shorty played in. Were you there? If so, there's 2 times we were in the same spot, but different spots.

I didn't see Bowie at Cobo, but about that same time (actually a few years before) I did see both Tull and Zeppelin at Cobo. Were you there?

I don't know how to figure if we were ever in Tiff's at the same time.

I'm calling Dieckman.

Kevin

 

[ez2h8]

I started playing in the mid 80's.

Maple Town lanes had 10 or so Brunswick Centenials and they would let anyone with a drivers license get a table. So we would always have one of our older friends get the table and everyone played. After a couple of years, we "moved up" to Cloverleaf lanes. And also railbirded alot at Northfield lanes where there seemed to always be some action between old and young guys.

Cloverleaf was a bigger social spot and had the same style tables but was the happening place to be. Couldn't get in there until you were 18. I think table time here was 3.50 and hour. Then a (we thought at least) real pool hall opened up called LeCue and had Gandy Big G's, TV's playing pool video's, kitchen, all the fancy stuff back then. Played there until they could not afford the air conditioning anymore. Then hopped around to between Holiday Inn on W150th, Al's place in North Ridgeville, and Chagrin Valley billiards. Also took trips down to Starchers and Diamonds in Akron. While in college I played on Brunswick GC's. Then finally, a nice place called L&L in Garfield open up in 94 I think and it had all the tables from Maple Town lanes. Then Northfield Billiards opened up and had all the GC's from Chagrin Valley and I believe the Diamond tables from Diamonds Billiards in Akron. Point of story is equipment in this area has been recycled just as often as the pool stories I think.

Then I left for ATL.

Mentors. In the beginning years, I didn't really have any. As others mentioned, old folks hated us more then would help us. Even when we would politely ask for some help.
I did have a trick shot guy name Anton (lastname?) teach me some stuff at the hall on top of the Holiday Inn. He was cool. I had Billy Stover teach me a several things before he passed away. Great guy. Tokyo Tommy always has been helpful in showing me stuff. Had a couple older guys "teach me the ropes" in bar league pool when I first started that. And another old guy named Stan who knows a pool hall in Brunswick.

The person I most wanted to impress with my pool abilities since I started, my father.

ez

 

[12squared]

Yeah I absolutely (sorta) remember you. You were "that 3-C guy" from Detroit that showed up to play in what I expected would be just all the local guys that always hung in the Union beating them around. Charley won that thing, using his "freeze out" routine. OK so we were in the same place 30+ years ago in Ann Arbor.

I'll bet we also were in the Cushion and Cue in Oak Park at the same time. Wasn't there a US Open 3-C there once? Or was it a regional that Boston Shorty showed up to play in? Anyway I was at the Cushion and Cue for the 3-C tourney around that time that Shorty played in. Were you there? If so, there's 2 times we were in the same spot, but different spots.

I didn't see Bowie at Cobo, but about that same time (actually a few years before) I did see both Tull and Zeppelin at Cobo. Were you there?

I don't know how to figure if we were ever in Tiff's at the same time.

I'm calling Dieckman.

Kevin

Here are my dates:

Hung around Cushion & Cue 1971-1976. I have seen Shorty play a few times in the tourneys they held there over that time span. I even earned my way in to one of their 36 man field regional tourneys almost beating Ameen and losing badly to Paul Melnichek & Harry Simms. When I played Paul, the first true nationally recognized great player I have ever played, I didn't even realize how nervous I was until I won the lag, ran 3, and started to move the beads overhead with my cue. At that time all I saw was the whole cue shaking so I put my left hand on the cue to steady it, but it made it worse. Once I saw that, I was lucky to hit the side rail. What a memory and honor to play Paul at such a young age, even though I sh-t all over myself .

Hung around North Hollywood Billiards late 1976-1977 then went to school & began my career. I played in a qualifier at Tiff's for the 1980 Nationals where the top two would move on to the regionals in San Jose. I finished 2nd after not playing for almost 3 years (2 weeks of practice) and finished 4th in the regionals which qualified me to play in the Nationals (they took 6 from the western region) where I finished 7th. I basically stopped playing until 1990 then living in the bay area. Did you know Jimmy Woo, Bert Schrager, Jack Stamper, Allen, Frank, Tiff? I still stopped in from time to time but was not a regular.

I didn't see tull at cobo but I did see them at Grande Ballroom (great place) - saw Lee Michaels & Frosty, Mountain, and a host of others that I can't remember (you know what they say about the 70s???).

If I remember correctly, Charlie didn't need any stall tactics, he was the better player. Say Hi to Dennis, I just saw him at DCC.

Dave

 

[demonrho]

...Glad to know others appreciated Silva. ...

Nine-Ball Paul (Paul Silva) was one of the deskman up at Palace Billiards. I was just a banger in the bars back then and only went up to Palace to see a friend who worked up there. But from my uneducated eyes, Silva looked super smooth and seemed to dominate the table when I saw him play. I think he was also referred to as Hawaiian Paul but I can't be 100 per cent sure. I remember once seeing him on a bar team playing at Gino & Carlos in North Beach. He had Filipino Gene and other top players on his team but they all started *****ing at each other and lost to a less talented but more together team. I'm sure there are others on this forum who were in the Bay Area at that time and can give us better insight into the man. Remember "Ears"?

 

[cueandcushion]

I learned to play in the 1970's at Cue and Cushion Billiards in Overland, Mo. The gentleman that helped me most then and now was the owner Bob Huddleston. Bob always took the time to answer my questions about pool and about the pool hall business in general.

Unfortunately Bob passed away a while back, however, the business he built is in the capable hands of his sons, who also are Az members with the screen name Cue and Cushion. In addition, I have since opened a pool room of my own in Lakewood, WA which has also turn out successful, and much of my success in this business is certainly due to what I learned from Bob.

Have a great day!!!!!!

That is where I learned to play also...Thanks Craig

 

[jmizzo]

First pool room I ever shot in was either checkers billiards (now Ducks in St. Cloud, MN) and Shooters (Burnsville, MN). Quite an experience when your from a small town in Northern Minnesota that has only bar tables and no pool room (town of like 15k.) Had a Bar table in our house when growing up and started playing when I was 7. Stopped for like 4 years and started seriously when I was 19. I'm 26 now. My mentor and only teacher I ever had was my father who passed away before seeing me take the game seriously. I am though pretty sure I can take him now, but will forever be the best I have ever seen in my eyes. I now play in MN at CR's and Two Stooges (Billiard Street Cafe). Both quality rooms.

 

[fan-tum]

Got my start at the Cue & Bridge and Winks (Forest Park Billiards) in Dayton, Ohio in the 60's. George Rood was THE MAN and I watched him every chance I got. Another old guy named Jake Spitler showed me things and made me practice ALL games, since in those days, there was a Snooker and a Billiard table in the room.

I followed Fats around like a puppy dog. He let me carry his cue and ride in his limo with him. He was non stop FUNNY 24 hours a day. He taught me how to "maneuver", as he put it. And no one did it better than the Fat man.

I'm sure I'm not alone in being interested in a collection of your reminiscences about the stories and characters you've encountered in the past 30 yrs. And that goes for others who might have anecdotes.
If there were enough, a seperate forum category could be dedicated to them.